Erdogan Says Turkey Could Ban Facebook And YouTube

Turkey's Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan addresses his supporters during an election rally of his ruling Ak Party in Malatya Thomson Reuters ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey could ban Facebook and YouTube, which he says have been abused by his political enemies, after local elections on March 30.

Erdogan is locked in a power struggle with the U.S.-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, a former ally who he says is behind a stream of "fabricated" audio recordings posted on the Internet allegedly revealing corruption in his inner circle.

"We are determined on this subject. We will not leave this nation at the mercy of YouTube and Facebook," Erdogan said in a late night interview with the Turkish broadcaster ATV.

Asked if the possible barring of these sites was included in his planned measures, he said: "Included."

Erdogan says the release of his purported conversations is part of a campaign to discredit him. Gulen denies any involvement in the recordings, and rejects allegations that he is using a network of proteges to try to influence politics in Turkey.